Pear tree

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of pear tree (Variety 217) which is useful as a size-controlling pear rootstock. The new variety originated as a single seedling selected from a large group of pear seedling which were grown from open-pollinated seed. This seed was harvested from Old Home pear trees (Pyrus communis) growing in an isolated planting with Farmingdale pollinizers. Pear varieties grown on the understock of this new rootstock clone are approximately 85% of the size of like pear trees grown on Domestic Bartlett seedling rootstocks (Pyrus communis). This "semi-standard" selection can be easily increased by vegetative propagation methods using both hard and softwood cuttings. It is graft-compatible with all major pear varieties. It was selected for its non-rootsuckering habit, its high yield efficiency, its resistance to the Fireblight disease and its high tolerance of the Pear Decline disease. It is hardy, early bearing and has demonstrated good root-anchorage in all orchard sites where tested.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree referred to by the cultivar designation Old Home × Farmingdale #217 and substantially as herein shown and described characterized particularly by its ability to serve as a rootstock for grafting of pear tree cultivars to produce "semi-standard" pear trees; further characterized by its resistance to the Fireblight disease and its tolerance of the Pear Decline disease; further characterized by its non-rootsuckering habit, its hardiness, its excellent root-anchorage, its good compatibility with all major commercial pear varieties, its early bearing habit, and its ability to root easily and reproduce readily by hard and softwood cuttings.